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After a remarkable 37-year hiatus, two courageous Bangladeshi swimmers, Mahfizur Rahman Sagor and Nazmul Haque Himel, have successfully conquered the formidable English Channel. Their extraordinary achievement was celebrated by the Bangladesh High Commission in London, where they received a warm reception.
Upon the invitation of High Commissioner Abida Islam, the duo arrived at the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Wednesday afternoon. In a brief ceremony attended by High Commission officials and staff, swimmer Mahfizur Rahman Sagor shared his reflections, stating that crossing the English Channel was a significant opportunity to bring honor to Bangladesh. He revealed that he had been planning this challenging feat for many years. Describing his experience, Sagor recounted the extreme cold of the water, which nearly froze his body. Despite the arduous conditions, he successfully completed the crossing in 12 hours and 10 minutes.
Swimmer Nazmul Haque Himel echoed Sagor's sentiments, emphasizing the immense difficulties he faced while navigating the English Channel. However, he remained resolute in his determination. Himel explained that conquering the Channel necessitates enduring intensely cold and adverse weather conditions, for which he had meticulously prepared himself over many years.
High Commissioner Abida Islam expressed immense pride in the two Bangladeshi swimmers' achievement, noting that it had been nearly four decades since a Bangladeshi last accomplished this feat. She highlighted that their success serves as an inspiring example for young people, encouraging them to embrace new challenges. The High Commissioner expressed hope that these achievements would pave the way for many more victories for Bangladesh in the future.
The swimmers began their monumental journey across the English Channel at 8:30 AM Bangladesh time (2:30 AM England time) on Tuesday. The English Channel, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, separates the United Kingdom and France. It spans approximately 562 kilometers in length, with its width varying from a maximum of 240 kilometers to a minimum of 34 kilometers. The first Asian and Bengali to cross this renowned channel was Brojen Das, who accomplished the feat six times between 1958 and 1961. Abdul Malek followed suit in 1965. After Bangladesh's independence, Mosharraf Hossain became the first Bangladeshi swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1988.
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